Can someone out there help me? The information that I got off of the Stage 1 Registry says that the motor identification number (located on a machined pad between the #1 and #3 spark plugs) on a 1970 GSX is a 9 digit number, starts with the number "4", and is then followed by the last 8 digits of the VIN. I'm looking at a 1970 GSX that has an 8 digit motor identification number that is the last 8 digits of the VIN and is not preceeded by a "4". Is it true that the motor identification number on the 1970 GSX must start with a "4"? Thanks for any help you can give.
Thanks Guys -- The photo was especially helpful. The numbers stamped on the pad of the GSX that I looked at were much smaller than what the photo here shows. And, it was not preceeded by a "4". On the car that I looked at, the stamped numbers started in the middle of the pad and took up the right half of the pad. It looks like the numbers on GSXER's car take up most of the pad. So, that's very different than what was done on the car that I looked at. Also, on the car that I looked at the "SS" stamping on the pad between the #5 and #7 spark plugs was larger than the stamped numbers between the #1 and #3 spark plugs. And the "SS" was not lined up.....the second "S" was kinda sideways. Also, there were no numbers after the "SS". Would this be right? I don't want to buy a car that does not have the original motor in it. Any advice on how to proceed?
I have seen the ss really stamped odd including a double strike on our documented X. As for the font difference I am not sure. I do believe the SS font is bigger than the VIN font but I would have to measure some to be sure. On a 70 the cast date should be on the front of the block. What is the cast date of the block and the intake manifold? It is on the intake right in front of the carb.
The 4 on the block stands for Buick. All Buick 455's of this era should have a 4. Mybe they had the block milled and tried to stamp the numbers themselves. Just to the left and below the "SS" code there should be a three digit code that may only be partially visible. My original 71 stage block had the "T" and "S" with a good size gap between them and the three digits partially obscured by the head. Is it an auto? Check for a "BB" trans with the VIN stamped on the drivers side. Much tougher to fake.
The cast numbers on the back of the block are "455", then below that "1231738". I did not get the cast number of the intake....but the distributor is "1112110". I did not see any numbers on the pad where the "SS" was stamped. The automatic transmission had been replaced, so I did not look for any numbers on it. And the exhaust manifolds were gone.......had headers.
For what it is worth it is not a 70 stage one distributor number. You might check the carb on the drivers side for the numbers that run vertical to see if it is a stage one carb number. Does it have a stage one fuel pump bowl?
IS it a real GSX? Should have QQ paint code if yellow or 10-10 if white. If you buy this car just price accordingly as too much stuff missing to verify if real Stage. Cover your back.
I didn't realize that a Stage 1 had a special fuel bowl, and I don't know what a fuel bowl for a Stage 1 looks like......so, I didn't look for it. The cowl tag shows that it has a QQ paint code. And I saw documents from the GSX Historic Society that state that it was the 95th GSX built in 1970 and verified it's VIN. Another sheet said that it had the A-9 and A-1 options for a Stage 1. So, perhaps it's a real Stage 1 car with a non original motor? The GSX Historic Society paperwork can't be forged can it?
We know Wayne who owns the GSX Histirical Society. That info combined with the cowl tag paint code would prove it was sold as a stage one GSX . The distributor could have been changed. Many were. SO could the 70 stage one carb. I would check for these as it may take 4-5K to replace these items. I would check the cast date on the intake manifold and the front of the engine as they could shed light on whether the engine is correct in the sense of the time you would expect it to be dated relative to when GSX cars were made. You car is likely March 1970 on th cowl tag so I would think the month on your castings would begin with "B Or "C" Perhaps "A" at the earliest. Just a general check.
Thanks Marco - That is the same car. I had not seen that discussion before you spotted it. Boy, this car seems to have a lot of issues.
These are all correctable issues assuming there is not something fishy with the engine. It is a nice looking car and most cars like this will have warts.
